Is it Time Your Magazine Subscriptions Went Paperless?
The iPad has been touted as a great eBook reader, but it may be even better at viewing magazines. After all, the spirit of a magazine is often the art of photography combined with the talent of writing, which makes them a perfect pairing with that gorgeous "Retina Display." Didn't know you could subscribe to magazines on the iPad? You aren't alone. It's not exactly a hidden feature, but it can be an easy one to miss.
First, you need to know where to go to subscribe to magazines and newspapers.
It might surprise you to know that magazine and newspapers are available in the App Store, not some special store just for subscriptions. While the iBooks app supports both both buying and reading eBooks, magazines and newspapers are treated more like apps.
This includes the ability to use in-app purchases to subscribe to a magazine or newspaper. Once you download a magazine from the App Store, you can subscribe to it within the magazine's app. Most magazines and newspapers also offer a free issue, so you can check out what you are getting before you make your purchase.
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Where do the magazines and newspapers go?
After you have downloaded a magazine or newspaper, it will appear in the "Newsstand". This is a special folder on your iPad designed specifically for subscription-based periodicals. You can open this folder exactly how you would open an app -- by tapping on it. When you tap on the Newsstand, a folder appears containing all of your digital magazines and newspapers.
Also, when you open the Newsstand folder, note the "Store" link in the bottom-right corner. This link will take you to the "All Newsstand' section of the App Store and can be used as a shortcut to browse for new magazines.
Quick Tip: You can also use spotlight search to find your newspapers and magazines. Just activate spotlight search by dragging your finger down while on the iPad's Home Screen -- careful that you don't drag from the very top of the screen, which launches the notification center -- and when the search bar appears, type in the name of the periodical.
How do I subscribe?
Unfortunately, every magazine and newspaper is a little different. In essence, the periodical you have downloaded is its own app, but generally, if you tap an individual item from within the app -- such as the June, 2015 edition of the magazine -- you will be prompted to either buy that issue or to subscribe.
Apple handles the transaction, so you won't need to enter your credit card information. The purchase is exactly like buying an app from the App Store.
More importantly, how do I cancel a subscription?
While most digital magazines and newspapers make it easy to subscribe, Apple hasn't made it easy to unsubscribe. Actually, that isn't entirely correct. It's not hard to subscribe once you know where to go. Subscriptions are handled on your Apple ID account, which is managed through the App Store. You can get to it by going to the Featured tab on the App Store, scrolling to the bottom and tapping on your Apple ID.
Confused? Get more detailed information on canceling that subscription!
Do I have to subscribe?
If you don't want to commit to a subscription, most magazines and newspapers will allow you to buy a single issue. This is a great way to digest the information you want without filling up your iPad with issues you never read.
Can I read them on my iPhone?
Absolutely. You can download magazines, newspapers, music and apps on any device connected with the same Apple ID. So as long as your iPhone and iPad are connected to the same account, you can purchase a magazine on your iPad and read it on your iPhone. You can even turn on auto-downloads and the magazine will be there waiting for you.
Are there any free magazines?
If you go to the "All Newsstand" category of the App Store and scroll all the way to the bottom, you will see a listing of 'free' magazines. Some of these magazines are only partially free, selling 'premium' issues alongside the free ones, but the free section is a great place to get started.
How to Get the Most Out of Your iPad
First, you need to know where to go to subscribe to magazines and newspapers.
It might surprise you to know that magazine and newspapers are available in the App Store, not some special store just for subscriptions. While the iBooks app supports both both buying and reading eBooks, magazines and newspapers are treated more like apps.
This includes the ability to use in-app purchases to subscribe to a magazine or newspaper. Once you download a magazine from the App Store, you can subscribe to it within the magazine's app. Most magazines and newspapers also offer a free issue, so you can check out what you are getting before you make your purchase.
- Launch the App Store.
- Tap the "Categories" button at the top-left corner. If you do not see "Catgories", first tap on the "Featured" button at the bottom. The option for categories only appears when you are on the Featured tab or the Top Charts tab.
- In the Categories drop-down list, choose Newsstand.
- You can choose "All Newsstand" if you want to browse through the featured magazine and newspapers, otherwise, you can narrow your topic through the different categories.
- Browse and download magazines just like they are apps. Tapping a magazine will give you more details, including user reviews. Tap the "Get" button to download the magazine or newspaper.
Want to learn more about the iPad? Sign up for the newsletter!
Where do the magazines and newspapers go?
After you have downloaded a magazine or newspaper, it will appear in the "Newsstand". This is a special folder on your iPad designed specifically for subscription-based periodicals. You can open this folder exactly how you would open an app -- by tapping on it. When you tap on the Newsstand, a folder appears containing all of your digital magazines and newspapers.
Also, when you open the Newsstand folder, note the "Store" link in the bottom-right corner. This link will take you to the "All Newsstand' section of the App Store and can be used as a shortcut to browse for new magazines.
Quick Tip: You can also use spotlight search to find your newspapers and magazines. Just activate spotlight search by dragging your finger down while on the iPad's Home Screen -- careful that you don't drag from the very top of the screen, which launches the notification center -- and when the search bar appears, type in the name of the periodical.
How do I subscribe?
Unfortunately, every magazine and newspaper is a little different. In essence, the periodical you have downloaded is its own app, but generally, if you tap an individual item from within the app -- such as the June, 2015 edition of the magazine -- you will be prompted to either buy that issue or to subscribe.
Apple handles the transaction, so you won't need to enter your credit card information. The purchase is exactly like buying an app from the App Store.
More importantly, how do I cancel a subscription?
While most digital magazines and newspapers make it easy to subscribe, Apple hasn't made it easy to unsubscribe. Actually, that isn't entirely correct. It's not hard to subscribe once you know where to go. Subscriptions are handled on your Apple ID account, which is managed through the App Store. You can get to it by going to the Featured tab on the App Store, scrolling to the bottom and tapping on your Apple ID.
Confused? Get more detailed information on canceling that subscription!
Do I have to subscribe?
If you don't want to commit to a subscription, most magazines and newspapers will allow you to buy a single issue. This is a great way to digest the information you want without filling up your iPad with issues you never read.
Can I read them on my iPhone?
Absolutely. You can download magazines, newspapers, music and apps on any device connected with the same Apple ID. So as long as your iPhone and iPad are connected to the same account, you can purchase a magazine on your iPad and read it on your iPhone. You can even turn on auto-downloads and the magazine will be there waiting for you.
Are there any free magazines?
If you go to the "All Newsstand" category of the App Store and scroll all the way to the bottom, you will see a listing of 'free' magazines. Some of these magazines are only partially free, selling 'premium' issues alongside the free ones, but the free section is a great place to get started.
How to Get the Most Out of Your iPad
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